Resident/Associate Attorney Fall '27

Modern Family Law•Petaluma, CA

4d•$83,200 - $161,700•Hybrid

About The Position

Modern Family Law (MFL), a national family law firm, is hiring 3Ls and recent graduates who plan to sit for the July 2027 Bar exam for its Residency Program in Oakland or San Jose, California. The role is hybrid, and candidates must sit for the Bar and plan to reside in the state where they are applying. After the Bar exam, Residents receive training in substantive family law and courtroom advocacy, with mentorship from MFL’s Learning & Development department and legal teams. The program is intended to support a successful transition to an Associate Attorney position upon passing the Bar. Residents are expected to complete training, develop client-conversion skills, and prepare to handle client matters from start to finish. As an Associate Attorney, the position offers direct client contact and case management involving divorce, child custody, financial support, and other family law matters. Attorneys have opportunities to develop litigation skills and serve as first chair early in their careers. The firm describes its setting as remote-first, with physical office space available and in-person attendance as required by courts and clients. Associates have a 100-hour monthly billable-hours requirement, access to legal technology, ongoing learning and development, and transparent advancement and leadership opportunities. The stated Resident salary is $83,200. The Associate Attorney starting base salary is $135,000, with possible total earnings of $161,700. The published salary range is $83,200–$161,700; actual compensation may vary based on experience, location, and other job-related factors permitted by law. Full-time employees are eligible for health insurance, including an optional HSA; short- and long-term disability; dental, vision, and life insurance; healthcare and dependent-care flexible spending accounts; a 401(k); vacation and sick time; and an employee assistance program. Additional voluntary programs and commuter or transit programs may also be available. Work-from-anywhere eligibility is available after six months.

Requirements

Be a 3L or recent law school graduate planning to sit for the July 2027 Bar exam.
Plan to reside in the state where applying and sit for the Bar in that state.
Hold a Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school.
Register for the July 2027 Bar exam.
Attain a passing score on the MPRE before sitting for the Bar exam.
Submit a Character & Fitness application to the State Bar on time and obtain its approval.
Submit a cover letter, law school transcript, and responses to the candidate questionnaire.
Thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment while managing multiple responsibilities with attention to detail.
Be eager to learn, grow, practice, and incorporate feedback.

Nice To Haves

Experience in Family Law Clinics.
Mock Trial experience.

Responsibilities

Complete Residency training in substantive family law and courtroom advocacy.
Develop client-conversion skills and prepare to handle client matters from start to finish.
Manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with attention to detail.
Work collaboratively in a respectful, growth-oriented team environment.
Study proactively, build confidence, ask questions, complete assignments, and incorporate feedback.
As an Associate Attorney, maintain direct client contact and manage family law matters involving divorce, child custody, financial support, and other issues.
Develop litigation skills and have the opportunity to serve as first chair early in the career.
Meet the Associate Attorney billable-hours requirement of 100 hours per month.